WO2010029696A1 - 燃料電池システムとその制御方法 - Google Patents

燃料電池システムとその制御方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010029696A1
WO2010029696A1 PCT/JP2009/004154 JP2009004154W WO2010029696A1 WO 2010029696 A1 WO2010029696 A1 WO 2010029696A1 JP 2009004154 W JP2009004154 W JP 2009004154W WO 2010029696 A1 WO2010029696 A1 WO 2010029696A1
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Prior art keywords
amount
liquid
gas
temperature
fuel cell
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PCT/JP2009/004154
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
三井雅樹
木村忠雄
高津克己
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パナソニック株式会社
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Priority to US13/057,081 priority Critical patent/US20110143233A1/en
Priority to EP09812845.7A priority patent/EP2306571B1/de
Publication of WO2010029696A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010029696A1/ja

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1009—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged
    • H01M8/1011—Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H01M8/04164—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal by condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04186—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04291—Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/04492—Humidity; Ambient humidity; Water content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04701—Temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04828—Humidity; Water content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/30—Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/10—Applications of fuel cells in buildings
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a fuel cell system that optimally controls the amount of liquid components of a gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from a fuel cell and a control method thereof.
  • the fuel cell includes at least a fuel cell stack including a cell stack, a fuel supply unit that supplies fuel to the cell stack, and an oxidant supply unit that supplies an oxidant.
  • the cell stack is generally configured by laminating a membrane electrode assembly composed of an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between these electrodes, and a separator, and arranging end plates at both ends in the laminating direction. Has been.
  • a direct methanol fuel cell has been developed as such a fuel cell stack.
  • DMFC direct methanol fuel cell
  • an aqueous methanol solution is used as a fuel, and oxygen in the air is used as an oxidant.
  • carbon dioxide which is a reaction product
  • an aqueous solution such as unreacted methanol and water which are the remainder of the fuel are discharged from the anode electrode.
  • the discharged aqueous solution is generally returned to the fuel supply unit.
  • nitrogen, unreacted oxygen and the like that have passed through the cathode electrode are discharged from the cathode electrode together with water and water vapor as reaction products.
  • the water generated by the cathode electrode is returned to the fuel supply unit and reused.
  • the liquid component discharged from the fuel cell stack is circulated and used to improve the portability of the fuel cell system.
  • the liquid component is stored in the tank and the required amount is supplied to the fuel supply unit.
  • the method is generally done. Therefore, it is important to manage the amount of liquid component stored in the tank.
  • Patent Document 1 since the fuel cell unit shown in Patent Document 1 requires a water recovery tank and a mixing tank, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the fuel cell system.
  • the amount of liquid in the mixing tank is detected by a liquid amount sensor, and the amount of water collected in the water collection tank is controlled by the cooling fan and the output of the air supply pump in order to be within a predetermined range. It is described that the amount of liquid in the mixing tank is controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount. However, for example, when the temperature of the water recovered in the water recovery tank is high, even if the amount of recovered water decreases due to transpiration, it cannot be detected and controlled. Therefore, even if the amount of liquid in the mixing tank increases or decreases, there is a possibility that water cannot be supplied in a timely manner.
  • water recovery tank it is described that water vapor discharged from the fuel cell is condensed by a condenser with a cooling fan and recovered as water (liquid).
  • the water recovery tank may overflow, but no detection means or countermeasure is disclosed.
  • the present invention provides a fuel cell system that optimally controls the amount and temperature of a liquid component stored in a gas-liquid separator, and a control method therefor.
  • the fuel cell system of the present invention includes a fuel cell, a pump for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell, and a gas / liquid that separates and stores liquid components from a gas / liquid mixed fluid discharged from at least the cathode side of the fuel cell. And a separation part.
  • a cooling unit that cools the liquid component stored in the gas-liquid separation unit; and a temperature detection unit that measures the temperature of the liquid component stored in the gas-liquid separation unit.
  • the liquid amount detection part which measures the quantity of the liquid component stored by the gas-liquid separation part, and the control part which controls the flow rate of the gas from a pump and controls the heat radiation amount by a cooling part are provided.
  • the control unit has a configuration for controlling at least one of the heat radiation amount by the cooling unit and the flow rate of the gas supplied from the pump based on the output from the temperature detection unit and the output from the liquid amount detection unit.
  • the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separation unit can be controlled with two parameters, the heat dissipation amount by the cooling unit and the supply amount by the flow rate of the gas supplied from the pump, based on the temperature of the liquid.
  • a fuel cell system with high control accuracy and high fuel utilization efficiency can be realized.
  • the amount of liquid can be optimally controlled, a fuel cell system with excellent portability and portability can be realized.
  • the fuel cell system control method of the present invention separates a liquid component from a fuel cell, a pump for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, and a gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from at least the cathode side of the fuel cell.
  • a fuel cell system control method for controlling the amount of liquid component stored in the gas-liquid separation unit comprising: a gas-liquid separation unit that stores the liquid component; and a cooling unit that cools the liquid component stored in the gas-liquid separation unit It is.
  • the amount of the liquid component stored in the gas-liquid separation unit is determined based on the temperature of the liquid using two parameters: the heat release amount by the cooling unit and the supply amount by the flow rate of the gas supplied from the pump. Control within a predetermined range can be performed with high accuracy.
  • a fuel cell system having high fuel utilization efficiency and excellent portability and portability and a control method thereof are realized. it can.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the power generation operation of the fuel cell in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the gas-liquid separator in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A.
  • 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a control method for maintaining the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention within a predetermined range.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a control method for maintaining the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention within a predetermined range.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention is in the range from the upper limit amount to the upper limit maximum amount.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention is in the range from the lower limit amount to the lower limit minimum amount.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system according to the embodiment of the present invention is not less than the upper limit maximum amount or not more than the lower limit minimum amount.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the power generation operation of the fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fuel cell system includes at least a fuel cell 1, a fuel tank 4, a pump 5 for supplying fuel, a pump 6 for supplying air, a control unit 7 having a calculation unit 7A, a power storage unit 8,
  • the gas-liquid separation unit 10 including a DC / DC converter 9, a temperature detection unit 34, and a liquid amount detection unit 36, for example, a cooling unit 12 such as a cooling fan is included.
  • the fuel cell 1 has a power generation unit (not shown), and the generated power is output from the positive terminal 2 and the negative terminal 3. Then, the output power is input to the DC / DC converter 9.
  • the pump 5 supplies a fuel such as a methanol aqueous solution in the fuel tank 4 to the anode electrode 21 of the fuel cell 1.
  • the pump 6 supplies a gas such as air as an oxidant to the cathode electrode 22 of the fuel cell 1.
  • the control part 7 controls the drive of the pump 5 which supplies fuel, and the pump 6 which supplies gas, such as air.
  • the control unit 7 controls the DC / DC converter 9 to control output to an external device (not shown) and charge / discharge to the power storage unit 8.
  • the fuel tank 4, the pump 5, and the control unit 7 constitute a fuel supply unit that supplies fuel to the anode electrode 21 in the fuel cell 1.
  • the pump 6 and the control unit 7 constitute an oxidant supply unit that supplies a gas such as an oxidant to the cathode electrode 22 in the fuel cell 1.
  • the gas-liquid separator 10 separates a liquid component (mainly water) from the gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22 and supplies the liquid component (mainly water) to the pump 5 together with the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 4. To do.
  • the fuel cell 1 includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 24 that is an electromotive unit, and an anode side end plate 25 and a cathode side end plate 26 that are disposed so as to sandwich the MEA 24.
  • MEA membrane electrode assembly
  • anode side end plate 25 and a cathode side end plate 26 that are disposed so as to sandwich the MEA 24.
  • a separator is provided between MEA24 and it laminates
  • the MEA 24 is configured by laminating an anode electrode 21, a cathode electrode 22, and an electrolyte membrane 23 interposed between the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22.
  • the anode electrode 21 is configured by laminating a diffusion layer 21A, a microporous layer (MPL) 21B, and a catalyst layer 21C in this order from the anode side end plate 25 side.
  • the cathode electrode 22 is configured by laminating a diffusion layer 22A, a microporous layer (MPL) 22B, and a catalyst layer 22C in this order from the cathode side end plate 26 side.
  • the positive terminal 2 is electrically connected to the cathode electrode 22, and the negative terminal 3 is electrically connected to the anode electrode 21.
  • the diffusion layers 21A and 22A are made of, for example, carbon paper, carbon felt, carbon cloth, or the like.
  • the MPLs 21B and 22B are made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene or a tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer and carbon.
  • the catalyst layers 21C and 22C are formed by highly dispersing a catalyst suitable for each electrode reaction such as platinum and ruthenium on the carbon surface and binding the catalyst body with a binder.
  • the electrolyte membrane 23 is made of an ion exchange membrane that transmits hydrogen ions, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer.
  • the anode side end plate 25, the cathode side end plate 26 and the separator are made of, for example, a carbon material or stainless steel.
  • the anode electrode 21 is provided with a fuel flow path 25A through which fuel flows, and the cathode electrode 22 is provided with a gas flow path 26A through which a gas such as an oxidant flows in a groove shape, for example.
  • an aqueous solution containing methanol as a fuel is supplied to the anode electrode 21 by a pump 5.
  • the cathode electrode 22 is supplied with a gas such as air that is an oxidizing agent pressurized by the pump 6.
  • the methanol aqueous solution supplied to the anode electrode 21, methanol derived therefrom, and water vapor are diffused over the entire surface of the MPL 21B in the diffusion layer 21A, and further pass through the MPL 21B to reach the catalyst layer 21C.
  • oxygen contained in the air supplied to the cathode electrode 22 diffuses over the entire surface of the MPL 22B in the diffusion layer 22A, passes through the MPL 22B, and reaches the catalyst layer 22C. Further, the methanol that has reached the catalyst layer 21C reacts as shown in the formula (1), and the oxygen that reaches the catalyst layer 22C reacts as shown in the formula (2).
  • the concentration of the methanol aqueous solution as the fuel can be adjusted.
  • the liquid recovered in the gas-liquid separation unit 10 does not overflow or is in a drought state. It is important to keep the amount of the liquid inside and to supply to the pump 5. This is because when the amount of liquid, that is, the amount of liquid or the amount of storage becomes excessive, water leaks from the gas-liquid separator 10. Further, if the amount of liquid stored becomes too small, the concentration of fuel supplied to the anode electrode cannot be adjusted.
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a gas-liquid separation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A
  • FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3C-3C in FIG.
  • the gas-liquid separation unit 10 measures the temperature (liquid temperature) and the liquid amount of the tank 30, the gas-liquid separation membrane 31, the introduction pipes 32A and 32B, the discharge pipe 32C, and the stored liquid components.
  • a temperature detector 34 and a liquid amount detector 36 are provided.
  • the introduction pipes 32A and 32B are connected to the upper part of the tank 30, and the discharge pipe 32C is connected to the lower part of the tank 30, respectively.
  • water and water vapor which are reaction products generated at the cathode electrode 22, and the gas that has passed through the cathode electrode 22 flow into the gas-liquid separator 10 from the introduction pipe 32 ⁇ / b> A.
  • water containing carbon dioxide as a reaction product generated at the anode electrode 21 and unreacted methanol as a fuel residue flows into the gas-liquid separation unit 10 from the introduction pipe 32B.
  • the gas-liquid separation membrane 31 provided on the upper surface of the tank 30 separates a gas component such as carbon dioxide and water vapor and a liquid component such as water, and discharges an excess gas component to the outside in a gaseous state.
  • the liquid 38 is stored in the tank 30.
  • the liquid 38 stored in the tank 30 is supplied to the inlet side of the pump 5 through a valve (not shown) provided in the discharge pipe 32C.
  • control unit 7 controls the supply amount of the liquid by opening and closing this valve, and adjusts the concentration of the aqueous methanol solution that is the fuel supplied to the anode electrode. Further, the control unit 7 performs calculation processing by the calculation unit 7A of the control unit 7 based on the information on the temperature and the liquid amount detected by the temperature detection unit 34 and the liquid amount detection unit 36, and calculates the liquid amount in the tank 30. Control to keep within a predetermined range.
  • the gas-liquid separation membrane 31 is a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), or tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP). It can be comprised with the sheet
  • the tank 30 is made of an insulating material such as resin or ceramic.
  • the temperature detection unit 34 is configured by a thermistor, for example, and is disposed at a position where at least the stored liquid 38 exists. At this time, the temperature detector 34 may be provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the tank 30, but is preferably arranged in the tank 30 so as to be in direct contact with the liquid 38. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the temperature of the liquid 38 is improved.
  • the liquid amount detection part 36 is comprised from a pair of electrodes 36A and 36B formed in the side surface which the tank 30 opposes, for example, as shown to FIG. 3C.
  • the liquid amount detection unit 36 detects the amount of the liquid 38 in the tank 30 based on a change in electric capacity (capacitance) between the electrode 36A and the electrode 36B. That is, by detecting in parallel the electric capacity of the gas portion and the liquid portion existing between the electrodes 36A and 36B facing each other, the amount of the liquid 38 is calculated and detected from the change by the calculation unit 7A. For this reason, the tank 30 is connected in series between the electrodes and constitutes a part of the electric capacity. Therefore, in order to improve detection accuracy, the tank 30 is preferably made of a material having a low dielectric constant.
  • the amount of the liquid 38 in the tank 30 is controlled so as to fall within a range from a predetermined upper limit amount to a lower limit amount as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.
  • the liquid amount is controlled based on the liquid temperature by controlling the heat radiation amount by the air flow rate of the cooling fan of the cooling unit and the gas supply amount by the flow rate of the gas supplied from the pump.
  • the amount of transpiration of the liquid in the tank is adjusted by controlling the amount of heat released by the cooling unit.
  • the amount of gas-liquid separation fluid discharged from the cathode electrode is adjusted by controlling the gas supply amount by the gas flow rate.
  • the fuel cell system of the present embodiment is configured as described above.
  • a control method for the fuel cell system according to the embodiment of the present invention particularly a control method for maintaining the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator in a predetermined range will be described with reference to FIGS. .
  • 4 is a control method when the fuel cell system is in a normal state
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 are control methods when the fuel cell system is in an emergency state.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a control method for maintaining the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention within a predetermined range.
  • the temperature of the liquid in the tank is measured by the temperature detector (step S41).
  • step S42 it is determined whether or not the measured temperature (detected temperature) is equal to or higher than the abnormal set temperature of the fuel cell to be used (step S42). If it is above the abnormal set temperature (in the case of No in step S42), the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped (step S100). At this time, for example, in the case of a fuel cell made of DMFC, since it is common to operate at an operating temperature of 55 ° C. to 80 ° C., the abnormal set temperature is set to 85 ° C., for example.
  • step S43 if the temperature is equal to or lower than the abnormal set temperature (in the case of Yes in step S42), the liquid amount (liquid amount) in the tank is measured by the liquid amount detection unit (step S43).
  • Step S44 it is determined whether or not the measured liquid amount is within the range from the lower limit amount to the upper limit amount (step S44).
  • the process of Step A which is an emergency process shown in FIG. 5, is performed (in the case of No in Step S44).
  • the lower limit amount is set to, for example, 30% of the maximum upper limit amount in the tank, and the upper limit amount is set to 70% of the maximum upper limit amount.
  • the lower limit amount and the upper limit amount are not limited to the above ranges, and are set in consideration of factors such as control accuracy, control time, and increase / decrease speed of the liquid amount.
  • the controller calculates the deviation between the target liquid amount and the detected liquid amount in the tank (Ste S45).
  • the controller calculates the deviation between the target temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) and the detected temperature of the liquid in the tank (step S46).
  • the target liquid amount is set to an intermediate level between the lower limit amount and the upper limit amount of liquid stored in the tank, for example, which can increase the margin of the control range.
  • the target temperature is set to 60 ° C., for example, in consideration of the amount of liquid transpiration in the tank and the operating temperature of the fuel cell.
  • step S47 the amount of heat released by the cooling unit is adjusted (step S47), and the gas supply amount is adjusted (step S48).
  • the amount and temperature of the liquid stored in the tank can be controlled to supply the optimal concentration of fuel to the anode electrode side of the fuel cell system.
  • the liquid volume and liquid temperature in the tank may be controlled every predetermined time or constantly.
  • the control interval is shortened when the temperature and humidity changes in the environment where the fuel cell system is used are large, and the control interval is lengthened when the change is small. It is preferable to do.
  • the above control method of the fuel cell system is preferable as control in a normal state.
  • an emergency such as No in step S44 in FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention is in the range from the upper limit amount to the upper limit maximum amount.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system in the embodiment of the present invention is in the range from the lower limit amount to the lower limit minimum amount.
  • step S49 when the amount of liquid in the tank is out of the range of the lower limit amount to the upper limit amount in step S44 of FIG. It is determined whether it is within the range from the upper limit amount to the upper limit maximum amount (step S49). In addition, when it is more than an upper limit maximum amount or less than a minimum amount, the process of step B which is an emergency process demonstrated in FIG. 6 is performed (in the case of No of step S49).
  • the upper limit maximum amount is ideally set at the same position as the lower surface of the introduction pipe 32A when the fuel cell system is installed in a flat state. preferable. However, in general, the upper limit maximum amount is set below the lower surface of the introduction pipe 32A in consideration of tank inclination, delay during control in an emergency, overshoot, etc., so as to avoid overflow of liquid. More preferred.
  • step S49 when the amount of liquid in the tank is within the range from the upper limit amount to the upper limit maximum amount (in the case of Yes in step S49), the temperature of the liquid in the tank is measured by the temperature detector 34, and the liquid in the tank is measured. It is determined whether or not the detected temperature is lower than a predetermined lower limit temperature (step S50). At this time, the lower limit temperature is set to 55 ° C., for example, in consideration of the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system.
  • step S50 when the detected temperature of the liquid in the tank is lower than the lower limit temperature (Yes in step S50), the driving of the cooling unit 12 such as a cooling fan for cooling the tank is stopped (step S51). At the same time, the amount of gas supplied to the cathode electrode 22 of the fuel cell is supplied at the upper limit flow rate from the pump 6 that supplies gas that becomes an oxidant such as air (step S52). At this time, the upper limit flow rate is, for example, the maximum supply amount within the control range of the gas flow rate supplied by the pump.
  • the target temperature of the liquid is set to the upper limit temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) (step S53). Then, the controller calculates a deviation between the target temperature (upper limit temperature) and the measured temperature of the detected liquid (step S54).
  • step S55 the amount of heat released by the cooling unit 12 that cools the tank 30 is controlled in the decrease mode (step S55).
  • step S56 the amount of gas supplied to the cathode electrode 22 of the fuel cell is controlled in the increase mode (step S56). Specifically, the amount of heat radiation is reduced by reducing the air volume of the cooling fan of the cooling unit 12 that cools the tank 30.
  • the gas is supplied while increasing the amount of gas supplied to the cathode electrode 22 of the fuel cell.
  • the control by the heat radiation amount reduction mode is controlled by increasing or decreasing the heat radiation amount within the range of the minimum heat radiation amount of the cooling unit that is less than the initial heat radiation amount set in the initial state in the usage state of the fuel cell system. .
  • the amount of decrease in the heat radiation amount is increased or decreased within the control range, and control is performed by PID control or the like.
  • the control by the gas supply amount increase mode is not less than the initial supply amount set at the initial stage in the operating state of the fuel cell system, within the range of the maximum pump supply amount, and a significant temperature drop due to the increase of the gas supply amount. It is controlled by increasing or decreasing the supply amount within a range where it does not occur.
  • the liquid is separated from the tank by the gas-liquid separation fluid discharged from the fuel cell.
  • This is an effective control when there is a high probability of water leaking. That is, the operation of the cooling fan of the cooling unit is stopped or controlled in the reduction mode, thereby increasing the amount of liquid transpiration and reducing the amount of liquid stored in the tank.
  • the amount of gas-liquid separation fluid such as water discharged from the cathode electrode can be reduced by controlling the supply amount of gas such as air in the increase mode and supplying it near the upper limit.
  • Step S57 when the amount of liquid in the tank is out of the range from the upper limit amount to the upper limit maximum amount in step S49 of FIG. It is determined whether it is within the lower limit range (step S57). If the amount is equal to or less than the minimum minimum amount or equal to or greater than the maximum maximum amount, Step C, which is an emergency process described with reference to FIG. 7, is performed (in the case of No in Step S57). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the minimum lower limit amount is ideally set to the same position as the upper surface of the discharge pipe 32C when the fuel cell system is installed in a flat state.
  • the temperature of the liquid in the tank is measured by the temperature detector, and the detected temperature of the liquid in the tank is a predetermined upper limit temperature. Is determined whether or not (step S58).
  • the upper limit temperature is set to, for example, 80 ° C. in consideration of the transpiration amount of the liquid in the tank.
  • step S58 when the temperature of the liquid exceeds the upper limit temperature (in the case of Yes in step S58), for example, the cooling unit that cools the tank, for example, maximizes the airflow of the cooling fan to maximize the heat dissipation (step). S59).
  • a supply amount of gas supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell is supplied at a lower limit flow rate from a pump that supplies a gas that becomes an oxidizing agent such as air (step S60).
  • the lower limit flow rate is, for example, the minimum supply amount within the control range of the gas flow rate supplied by the pump.
  • the target temperature of the liquid is set to the lower limit temperature (for example, 55 ° C.) (step S61). Then, the controller calculates a deviation between the target temperature (lower limit temperature) and the measured temperature of the detected liquid (step S62).
  • step S63 the amount of heat released by the cooling unit that cools the tank is controlled in the increase mode (step S63), and the amount of gas supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell is decreased in the decrease mode.
  • step S64 Controlled and supplied (step S64). Specifically, the amount of heat radiation is increased by increasing the air volume of the cooling fan of the cooling unit that cools the tank. At the same time, the supply amount of gas supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell is reduced and supplied. At this time, the control by the increase mode of the heat radiation amount is controlled by increasing or decreasing the heat radiation amount within the maximum heat radiation amount of the cooling unit more than the initial heat radiation amount set at the initial time in the usage state of the fuel cell system.
  • the amount of increase in the heat radiation amount is increased or decreased within the control range, and control is performed by PID control or the like.
  • the control by the gas supply amount reduction mode is less than the initial supply amount set at the initial stage in the state of use of the fuel cell system, within the range of the minimum supply amount of the pump, and a significant temperature increase due to the reduction of the gas supply amount. It is controlled by increasing / decreasing the supply amount within a range where no occurrence occurs.
  • the liquid is supplied to the tank by the gas-liquid separation fluid discharged from the fuel cell when the temperature of the liquid is high, that is, when the temperature of the liquid is high, that is, the amount of transpiration of the liquid is large. Even if it is done, it becomes effective control when the probability that the liquid is depleted is high. That is, by maximizing the amount of heat released by the cooling unit or controlling in the increase mode, the amount of liquid transpiration is suppressed and the amount of liquid stored in the tank is increased. Further, the amount of gas-liquid separation fluid such as water discharged from the cathode electrode can be increased by controlling the supply amount of gas such as air in the decrease mode and supplying it in the vicinity of the lower limit.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control method when the amount of liquid stored in the gas-liquid separator of the fuel cell system according to the embodiment of the present invention is greater than or equal to the upper limit maximum amount or less than the lower limit minimum amount. .
  • step S65 it is determined whether or not the amount of liquid in the tank is equal to or lower than the lower limit minimum amount.
  • step S100 the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped (step S100).
  • step S65 When the lower limit minimum amount is exceeded (in the case of No in step S65), the amount of liquid in the tank and the amount of liquid are determined as the upper limit maximum amount (step S66), and the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped in the same manner as described above (step S66). S100).
  • the amount of liquid in the tank of the gas-liquid separator is released based on the detected temperature of the liquid, for example, by the air volume of the cooling fan. It can be accurately controlled by using two parameters of the amount of heat and the amount of gas supplied by a pump that supplies gas such as air (gas flow rate). Further, even in an emergency, the amount of liquid can be controlled within a usable range in a short time, so that it is possible to realize a fuel cell system with high reliability and excellent portability and portability.
  • the DMFC has been described as an example.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and any fuel cell using a power generation element similar to a cell stack can be applied to the configuration of the present invention.
  • the present invention can be applied to a so-called solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell using hydrogen as a fuel or a methanol reforming fuel cell.
  • the example has been described in which the amount of liquid in the tank is controlled when the fuel cell system is basically installed on a flat place, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • a tilt sensor or the like may be incorporated in the fuel cell system, the tilt amount of the tank may be detected by the tilt sensor, and the liquid amount may be corrected using the tilt amount, and the same processing may be performed.
  • restrictions such as a place of use such as a portable device can be greatly relaxed, and the use range is expanded.
  • the capacitance type sensor that detects the capacitance is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the liquid amount may be detected by a float type sensor.
  • the liquid amount detection unit has been described as an example in which electrodes are provided on the entire surface of the opposing side surfaces of the tank.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • electrodes divided into a plurality of parts such as two may be formed and used as an inclination amount detection unit together with the liquid amount from the measured value of the capacitance between the opposing electrodes.
  • FIG. 3A if the liquid amount detection unit 36 is divided into left and right, when the tank is tilted in the left and right direction in the drawing, a difference occurs in the electric capacity of the left and right liquid amount detection units. By this difference, the amount of inclination can be detected. Even when the tank is inclined in the front-rear direction in the drawing of the tank, it can be realized by forming electrodes on different side surfaces.
  • the cooling fan is described as an example of the cooling unit, but is not limited thereto.
  • a Peltier element or the like may be used as the cooling unit.
  • cooling fins may be provided on the wall of the tank.
  • the fuel cell system and the control method thereof according to the present invention are useful as a power source for electronic devices that are particularly required to be compact and portable, with high reliability such as safety and long life.

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PCT/JP2009/004154 2008-09-11 2009-08-27 燃料電池システムとその制御方法 WO2010029696A1 (ja)

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EP09812845.7A EP2306571B1 (de) 2008-09-11 2009-08-27 Brennstoffzellensystem und steuerverfahren dafür

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CN108169688A (zh) * 2017-12-28 2018-06-15 上海神力科技有限公司 燃料电池测试台加湿气体和电池堆水平衡检测装置及方法

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JP2015065120A (ja) * 2013-09-26 2015-04-09 ダイハツ工業株式会社 燃料温度調整システム
US20150268682A1 (en) * 2014-03-24 2015-09-24 Elwha Llc Systems and methods for managing power supply systems
CN109921069B (zh) * 2017-12-12 2021-03-30 中国科学院大连化学物理研究所 一种直接液体燃料电池阴极水含量的测定方法
CN108110355B (zh) * 2018-02-02 2024-02-09 华霆（合肥）动力技术有限公司 软包电池组及软包电池组系统

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EP2306571B1 (de) 2013-10-02
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